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Novel Electrophysiological Biomarkers In Pediatric Drug Resistant Epilepsy And Genetic Epilepsy Syndromes, Sakar Rijal

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Pediatric epilepsies, particularly those that are drug-resistant or genetically driven, represent some of the most complex neurological disorders encountered in childhood. Central to their pathophysiology is a disruption in the delicate balance between cortical excitation and inhibition (E/I), often resulting from impaired GABAergic interneuron function. This imbalance manifests as aberrant network dynamics and altered neural oscillations, giving rise to seizures and long-term cognitive impairments. In this thesis, we developed a translational framework to identify electrophysiological biomarkers that (i) assess cortical E/I imbalance and (ii) map epileptogenic zones, with the aim of enhancing diagnosis, guiding surgical planning, and informing therapeutic monitoring …

Vendor-Independent B0 Shimming Framework With Application To Metabolic Mri In Human Gliomas, Mahrshi Jani

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

High and ultra-high field MRI and MRSI offer markedly improved signal-to-noise ratio and spectral dispersion, enabling in-vivo characterization of tumor metabolism with unprecedented detail. However, these benefits are tightly coupled to high demands on static magnetic field (B₀) homogeneity, particularly in the brain where susceptibility interfaces near the skull base and paranasal sinuses generate complex, higher-order field perturbations. In glioma patients, additional susceptibility variations arise from surgical cavities, hemorrhage, calcifications, and cystic components, further degrading B₀ homogeneity. As a result, shimming often become the main bottleneck limiting robust, whole-brain spectroscopic imaging and, consequently, our ability to map metabolic …

Small-Scale Green Infrastructure In Urban Networks - Trinity Presbyterian Church As A Pilot Project, Selvana Getsy -

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses - Archive

Rapid urbanization and increasing impervious cover in cities like those within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex have intensified flooding, heat, erosion, and declining ecological quality. Although large-scale green infrastructure (GI) interventions are widely recognized as solutions to these issues, small-scale institutional landscapes remain a neglected yet powerful component of urban GI networks. This study functions as a pilot/demonstration project to evaluate the potential of small-scale GI interventions at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Plano, Texas. The goals are to reduce stormwater runoff, provide ecological and microclimatic improvements, increase community engagement, biodiversity enhancement, and environmental awareness in public institutional settings.

The study utilizes a …

Engineered Biomimetic Muscle Graft For Skeletal Muscle Regeneration, Julia O. Aguirre

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

This study aims to develop a synthetic muscle graft that closely mimics the architecture, viscoelastic properties, and bio-signaling characteristics of natural skeletal muscle. By analyzing the native skeletal muscle microstructure, biochemical, and mechanical properties, we establish design parameters for a biomimetic scaffold. The engineered graft integrates tunable mechanical compliance, aligned microarchitecture, and signaling cues to promote cell recruitment, adhesion, proliferation, and maturation. To further enhance biofunctionality, an electrically conductive polymer was incorporated to improve the electrical conductivity, and the graft was loaded with the bioactive lipid signaling mediator “Prostaglandin E2” (PGE2) to support myogenesis during muscle regeneration. The grafts were …

Assessing Biodiversity For User Experience In Public Parks: Learning From Downtown Dallas, Texas, Amanda A. Esparza

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses - Archive

Biodiversity loss is a pressing global issue, with far-reaching ecological, social, and cultural consequences (United Nations Environment Programme, 2011). The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recognizes the biodiversity crisis as equal in urgency to the climate crisis and emphasizes the importance of incorporating biodiversity conservation into design practices (Green, 2024). However, regional experiences of the relationship between biodiversity in designed urban landscapes and user experience remain unexplored. The purpose of this research is to gain a general understanding of the level of biodiversity present in downtown Dallas, Texas, public parks and to assess park users’ perceptions and interactions with …

Can Engaging In Social Activities Prolong Life?

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

Bibliographic Instruction And The Need For “Librarian-First” Oer Repositories, Michael Kirby

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Gaps In Knowledge: Topological Insights Into The Structure Of Science, Gavin Engelstad

Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science Honors Projects

Understanding scientific development is essential to ascertaining the mechanisms leading us into the future. Building this understanding requires both methodological developments and empirical research. This thesis contributes in both aspects using a topological approach to examine scientific knowledge. The first section presents a new algorithm to find optimal cycle representatives for homological features in complex networks, a context for which we demonstrate existing algorithms can be inadequate. The second section applies a number of topological methods, including our cycle optimization algorithm, to data on individual scientific fields, demonstrating the value of topological approaches and highlighting new insights about how science …

Leveraging Crispr Technology To Model Beta-Propeller Protein Associated Neurodegeneration And Explore Mechanisms Of Neurological Dysfunction, Brandon Lee Meyerink

Dissertations and Theses

Neurons are highly compartmentalized, specialized cells that are foundational to brain function. Moreover, the neurons we have early in life are the same cells that we carry through our entire life. For these cells to stay healthy and functional over this long period, a process called autophagy is used to clear unwanted, toxic, or unneeded materials from the cell. Alterations in autophagy caused by genetic mutations can lead to the death of neurons and neurodegenerative disease. Here, we use CRISPR technology to genetically modify mouse models to generate a model of autophagy associated neurological disease and study the molecular function …

Recruitment, Reprogramming, And Function Of Trpv1+ Sensory Nerves In The Development And Progression Of Head And Neck Cancer, Anthony Restaino

Dissertations and Theses

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are an epithelial cancer prevalent across the world and are divided into two subcategories: human papillomavirus-mediated (HPV+) and carcinogen-mediated (HPV-) HNSCC. These subgroups have distinct patient populations, divergent responses to therapy, and prognoses, however the foundational mechanisms that facilitate these differences are not well understood or defined. Recently, the presence and function of sensory neurons within the tumor environment of various solid tumors has been identified and investigated. Herein, we identify differences in the presence of TRPV1+ sensory neurons and neuron structures in the tumor environment of HPV+ and HPV- HNSCC, correlating with …

Evaluating A Novel Lifestyle Intervention Trial: Mitigating Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension And Depression In Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities Living In Adult Family Homes, Matthew Lee Velissaris

Dissertations and Theses

This study evaluated a 90-day lifestyle intervention for nine ambulatory adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) residing in three adult family homes (AFHs). The intervention integrated approximately 120 minutes per week of structured exercise, promotion of the Mediterranean-style eating pattern emphasizing whole foods and omega-3–rich seafood, and adjunctive mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Using a single-group pre–post design, outcomes included a primary endpoint (A1C) and secondary endpoints (systolic and diastolic blood pressure and depressive symptoms assessed by the Glasgow Depression Scale adapted for adults with IDD). Mixed-effects regression analysis indicated that group-level change in A1C was not statistically significant at α …

The Importance Of Fauna-Mediated Sediment O2 Consumption In The Ngom Hypoxic Zone, Hannah Beck, Kanchan Maiti

Faculty Publications

The northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) coastal shelf adjacent to the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers system experiences strong seasonal hypoxia in the late summer and coupled physical-biological models suggest that hypoxia formation in the NGOM is sensitive to benthic biogeochemical processes. However, the processes driving sediment oxygen consumption and their relationship to bottom oxygen concentration remain enigmatic. This study for the first time concurrently measured in situ total oxygen uptake (TOU) and diffusive oxygen uptake (DOU) during two different hypoxia seasons. The relatively large DOU: TOU ratio of 0.33 ± 0.07 observed during this study suggests more significant benthic infauna …

Sustainable Agricultural Alternatives To Cope With Drought Effects In Semi-Arid Areas Of Southern Mozambique: Review And Strategies Proposal, Celso Mondlhane, Lawrence Munjonji, Íris Victorino, Carlos Huenchuleo, Paula Pimentel, Pablo Cornejo

All Grantees Publications

Drought, pests, soil fertility depletion, environmental challenges, and the limited use of agricultural inputs continue to plague food production in many developing countries such as Mozambique. As a response to these production constraints, sustainable strategies must be defined to cope with these problems. One strategy, largely applied worldwide, is the combination of the usage of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, conservation tillage, intercropping, and crop residue management. The above can help smallholder farmers to become more resilient, sustainable, and productive, in a framework where the limitations imposed by global climate change are being exacerbated. The impacts of these strategies are less known …

Prevalence And Factors Influencing Eating Disorders Among Post-Bariatric Surgery Patients In Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Saleh A. Alghamdi, Mohammed A. Al Jaffer, Renad A. Almesned, Sadeem D. Alanazi, Alanoud W. Alhnake, Shahad M. Alkhammash, Nuran M. Baabbad

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To examine the occurrence and contributing factors of disordered eating patterns in individuals post-bariatric surgery. It also investigated the impact of these patterns on weight loss outcomes and long-term weight management, focusing on psychological and emotional factors. Additionally, the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating patterns was explored. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across multiple medical centers in Saudi Arabia, using self-administered questionnaires to evaluate the prevalence of eating disorders and self-esteem among patients who underwent bariatric surgery in the past five years. Out of 557 respondents, 452 met the inclusion criteria. Results: The study …

Indirect Effects And Context Dependency In Stream Fish Invasions, William K. Annis, Lily M. Thompson, Stephen R. Midway, Julian D. Olden, Brandon K. Peoples

Faculty Publications

Aim: Invasion ecology is replete with a body of well-supported yet contradictory evidence for numerous invasion hypotheses, likely as a result of context dependency. Context dependency in invasion studies can arise in two ways: (1) apparent, when results differ between studies solely due to methodical differences, or (2) mechanistic, when results truly differ due to ecological processes. One form of apparent context dependency occurs when causally linked factors associated with invasion success (hereafter, invasion drivers) either mask or enhance each other's effect on invasion success. Mechanistic context dependency can occur when regional scale processes modify the influence of local scale …

Flood Risk And Mitigation Calculator Tool To Support Decision-Making For Enhancing Community Resilience: A Case Study Of The U.S.A. Gulf Coastal Region, Rubayet Bin Mostafiz, Ayat Al Assi, Arash Taghinezhad, Carol J. Friedland, Robert V. Rohli, Md Adilur Rahim, Christopher T. Emrich, Melanie Gall, Eric Johnson

Faculty Publications

Real-estate websites make it easy to find and access information about a home. Information on property value, square footage, number of rooms, quality of schools, crime rates, and more is readily available. Some of these platforms have begun integrating climate-related risks in generic ways. However, this information provides limited if any actionable value and is unlikely to guide people’s decision-making on buying or renting a home, deciding where to vacation, or investing in a property. Making residents aware of the natural hazard risks to which their homes may be exposed is an important component of making communities more resilient. Both …

The Impact Of Seasonal Hydrological Disturbances On The Presence And Formation Of Toxic Cyanobacteria Blooms In Coastal Louisiana, Courtney Nicole Hammond, Sibel Bargu, Caitlin R.R. Turner, Matthew Hiatt, John R. White

Faculty Publications

Estuaries in the Gulf, especially Lake Pontchartrain Estuary in southeastern Louisiana, USA, are experiencing significant changes due to climate change and coastal restoration efforts. Lake Pontchartrain Estuary receives nutrient-rich Mississippi River water through a controlled diversion called Bonnet Carré Spillway (BCS), which has been associated with toxic cyanobacterial blooms (cyanoHABs). This study examines the seasonal factors influencing cyanoHABs in the Lake Pontchartrain Estuary when the BCS is closed, addressing gaps in the understanding of HABs related to other physical drivers. Field samples collected in 2021, during the closure of the spillway, revealed significant evidence of seasonal variations in cyanoHAB formation. …

Corrigendum: Diatom Transcriptional And Physiological Responses To Changes In Iron Bioavailability Across Ocean Provinces (Frontiers In Marine Science, (2017), 4, (360), 10.3389/Fmars.2017.00360), Natalie R. Cohen, Kelsey A. Ellis, Robert H. Lampe, Heather Mcnair, Benjamin S. Twining, Maria T. Maldonado, Mark A. Brzezinski, Fedor I. Kuzminov, Kimberlee Thamatrakoln, Claire P. Till, Kenneth W. Bruland, William G. Sunda, Sibel Bargu, Adrian Marchetti

Faculty Publications

In the published article, there was an error in Figure 3 as published. The initial (T0) phytoplankton community composition at site C2 was incorrectly displayed, with prasinophytes erroneously appearing as relatively abundant taxa. The corrected Figure 3 appears below. The average transcript proportions of phytoplankton taxa (outer charts) and diatom genera (inner charts) from initial seawater (T0) and during the first time point (T1; see Supplementary Table 1) within the Fe addition (Fe) and DFB addition (DFB) treatments at each site. Note that for site O5, the T2 control (Ctl) treatment is provided as the Fe-limited comparison. A text correction …

Photogrammetric Determination Of Movement Speed Of Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish In The Florida Keys, Neal Kolonay, Cassandra N. Glaspie

Faculty Publications

As a key determinant of how efficiently lionfish (Pterois sp.) locate and capture prey, swimming speed plays a crucial role in shaping the predator-prey interactions and broader ecological dynamics within the invaded ecosystems. Swimming speed on a small temporal and spatial scale is difficult to measure because of the need for precise measurements of both distance and duration of the behavior. Using photogrammetry by way of stereo-camera setups is ideal for analyzing the minutiae of lionfish behaviors because it can include the benefits of remote video traps coupled with precise measurements of movements in three-dimensional space and time. The primary …

Comparison Of Two Benthic Assemblage Sampling Gears For Use On Intertidal Oyster Reefs In Louisiana, Finella M. Campanino, Stephanie K. Archer, Jillian C. Tupitza, Cassandra N. Glaspie, Megan K. La Peyre

Faculty Publications

Background: Estuarine biodiversity plays a vital role in supporting ecosystem functions yet remains threatened by climate change and anthropogenic activity. Tracking and identifying estuarine biodiversity trends helps management ensure long-term provisions of human and environmental benefits by contributing to the estimation of habitat loss and the monitoring of restoration and conservation progress. However, results obtained using different sampling gears and different biodiversity metrics may lead researchers to reach different conclusions, which can lead to uncertainty in the actual state of the ecosystem-level biodiversity. Sampling benthic biodiversity in complex estuarine habitats, such as oyster reefs, is particularly challenging because no one …

Identification And Characterization Of Novel Crispr-Cas Immune Effectors, Christian Fredrick Baca

Student Theses and Dissertations

Bacteria are under constant threat by the viruses that infect them called bacteriophages or phages for short. It is predicted that phages outnumber bacteria by an order of magnitude, producing a tremendous pressure for resistance mechanisms against this threat. One of the most abundant immune systems bacteria have evolved to combat this are CRISPR-Cas systems, which have been studied extensively due to their fascinating biology and usefulness in biotechnology and therapeutics. My thesis focuses on the discovery and characterization of three new CRISPR-Cas effector proteins that provide immunity in bacteria in response to phage challenge with highly diverse activities. CRISPR-Cas …

Understanding Of Intrinsic Sources Of Dna Damage That Drive Human Disease: A Foray Into The Study Of Dna Interstrand Crosslinks And Genome-Embedded Ribonucleotides, Nicolas Johannes Georg Blobel

Student Theses and Dissertations

Sources of damage to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can be categorized broadly into exogenous and endogenous. Exogenous sources range from environmental (e.g., air pollution, tobacco and alcohol, ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to sun exposure), to pharmaceutical sources (e.g., chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin). The other main category of DNA damage is endogenous, which can range from metabolites such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in the cells as byproducts of metabolic pathways, to incorrect bases incorporated into the genome. In this thesis, I will focus on two types of endogenous DNA damage: 1) interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) formed by DNA damaging aldehydes and …

Comparisons Of The Effects Of White Noise And Classical Background Music On Student On-Task Engagement During Work Cycles In A Lower-Elementary Montessori Class, Lee Ellis

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study compares the effects of classical and white noise background music, played during in-class work cycles for lower elementary students (grades 1-3) at a Montessori school in Pennsylvania. I aim to measure academic on-task engagement and overall classroom behavior. I will observe and record notes on their progress when there is no background sound, white noise, or classical music playing. Research has shown that introducing different sounds to the background of a classroom can positively affect student focus and retention of information (Levitin, 2006; Williams, 1961). Manipulation of sound or music played in the background can have a sizable …

Bs Biological Science, Pre-Veterinary 2025-26, Arkansas State University - Jonesboro

Bachelor of Science and Education

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 And Capitalism: The Shunning Of Evidence In Sam Friedman’S “House Organ”, Victor Wallis

Faculty Works

Sam Friedman’s September 2025 “House Organ” is devoted to criticizing my writings on COVID-19. Friedman begins by attributing to me a more definitive position than I have actually taken in regard to COVID origins. He then denies that there was censorship around the injection agenda and contends that the negative effects of the jabs were minimal. I present counter-evidence to all these assertions, along with a critique of his argumentation.

A New "Administrative Law Approach" To Social Rights? Learnings From Environmental Litigation In Colombia, Maria Emilia Mamberti

American University International Law Review

Social rights are at present profusely recognized in international and domestic law. Latin American countries are frontrunners in the field, as virtually all constitutions in the region acknowledge social rights, often in ambitious manners. In many countries, courts have been active and creative in adjudicating social rights cases.

The increasing importance of social rights has led to copious debates in comparative law, which have initially focused on the convenience of constitutionalizing them, and on assessing their nature and core characteristics. With relevant exceptions, more current debates—largely revolving around the decisions of high courts from a handful of jurisdictions—have focused on …

From Resistance To Remission: Transforming Recalcitrant Plaque Psoriasis With Secukinumab And Methotrexate, Rabia S. Mahfooz, Annmary Behanan, Amita J. Dsouza, Naser Elkhalili

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Prevelence Odds Of Melanoma In Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study, Nilay Bhatt, Kumail Rizvi

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Humoral Influences On The Heart: A Case Of Overt Hypothyroidism And Dilated Cardiomyopathy With Acute Heart Failure, Shana-Kay Lambert-Johnson, Rui Zhang, Brian Yu, Tasaduq Mir

North Texas Research Forum 2025

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) affects approximately 7 in 100,000 adults annually, with a mortality rate of 50%. It is typically idiopathic, progressive, and irreversible. However, in the context of hypothyroidism, DCM can be reversible. Hypothyroid-induced DCM with coexisting systolic dysfunction is a rare occurrence. This case report presents an exceptional instance of this phenomenon, highlighting the critical role of thyroid hormone replacement in improving patient outcomes. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old female with a medical history of hypothyroidism (post-thyroidectomy) was transferred for higher-level care due to new-onset heart failure. Over the past five months, she experienced worsening dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, …

Liver Metastasis Of Immature Teratoma And Portal Vein Embolization: A Case Report, Rohan Gupta

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.